A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving hemodialysis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Rationale:

• Provide the client with high-calorie fluids every hour: The client has poor self-care, has not eaten for an extended period, and exhibits hyperactivity due to mania. Frequent high-calorie fluids help maintain hydration and meet increased metabolic demands. Regular intake supports nutrition and prevents further weight loss.
• Encourage the client to avoid napping during the day: Avoiding daytime napping can help regulate sleep-wake cycles and promote restorative sleep at night. Clients experiencing mania often have decreased need for sleep, so reinforcing nighttime sleep routines supports stabilization of circadian rhythms.

• Minimize environmental stimuli for the client: Clients experiencing a manic episode are easily overstimulated, which can worsen their agitation, anxiety, and psychosis. A calm, quiet environment with reduced distractions is essential for de-escalation and promoting rest.
• Weigh the client each day: Daily weight monitoring helps assess nutritional status and detect fluid imbalance, which is important given the client’s poor self-care, hyperactivity, and potential for dehydration or rapid weight loss.

Rationale:

A. Wear a gown while providing personal hygiene: Contact precautions are required for clients with Clostridium difficile to prevent transmission via contaminated surfaces or direct contact. Wearing a gown during personal care protects the nurse’s clothing and skin from spores.

B. Place the client in a room with negative airflow: Negative airflow rooms are required for airborne infections such as tuberculosis or measles. C. difficile is spread via the fecal–oral route and does not require airborne isolation measures.

C. Apply a mask when providing care: Masks are necessary for droplet or airborne pathogens, but C. difficile spores are transmitted through direct or indirect contact, not respiratory droplets, so masks are not routinely required unless there is another indication.

D. Wipe the stethoscope with alcohol after leaving the client's room: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based disinfectants. Cleaning equipment requires soap and water or a sporicidal disinfectant to effectively remove spores and prevent spread.